Seattle US Attorney: no merit to officers lawsuit

Seattle U.S. Attorney Jenny Durkan says a civil-rights lawsuit filed by more than 100 Seattle police officers over use-of-force policies is without merit.

Durkan said Thursday that there has been significant progress in reforming the Seattle police force.

She spoke a day after dozens of officers filed a lawsuit in federal court in Seattle, alleging new use-of-force polices are restricting their constitutional rights to protect themselves.

The complaint alleges that the policies require them to use significantly less force than is being threatened against them, and has resulted in cases where officers hesitated or failed to use appropriate levels of force.

The city entered into a settlement agreement with the Justice Department in 2012 to address concerns that officers were too quick to use force, especially in minor situations.